Assig-noe of one-half



NITED STATESg PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. SHERMAN, OF ATHENS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ERNESTL. GRUBB, OF SAME PLAGE.

VEH lCLE-Wl-I EEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,187, dated January4, 1881.

Application filed october 1, isso. (Nomodei.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. SHERMAN, of Athens, in the county ofMcMinn and State of Tennessee, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Vehicle-Wheels,

of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming partof thisspecilication.

which are provided with box hubs having means for tightening the tire byforcing the spokes outward.

My improvement consists in a hub of mallea- 1 5 ble iron, or othersuitable material, constructed with mortises adapted to receivedovetailed spokes fitting therein, so that when the spokes are pressedoutward they shall not only tighten 'the tire, but at the same time betightened 2 0 themselves in the hub by having their` dovetailed portionspressed into the tapering mortiscs, as hereinafter described.

In order that the invention may be fully understood Iwill proceed todescribe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which- Figure l is a side view ot" my improved wheel, the box-cap, frontplate, and thimble being removed and the felly partly in section.

3o Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the hubportion on a larger scale.Figs. 3 and 4 are front and side views, respectively, of one of thespokes detached.

A represents a hub, constructed, preferably, of malleable iron, andhaving mortises a formed therein for the reception of the spokes C,which are dovetailed at c so as to lit the mortises closely.

B is the box,which has a head, b, constructed 4o with lugs b, adapted tolit in the hub, which is recessed correspondingly at a' a. The box isscrew-threaded nearly its whole length, to receive a thimble or taperingring, D, constructed with an angular head, d, for receiv- 4 5 ing awrench, and adapted to force the spokes My invention relates to thosevehicle-wheels.

outward by pressing on their very slightly inclined ends c. The box alsoreceives the cappiece E for securing the box in the hub.

After the spokes are in place triangular projections a extend betweenthem. The outer 5o edges of these projections are cutaway at am', so asto receive the flange j' of the collar or plate F, grooved at f', andformed with a seat, f, for the cap-piece E, the groove f receiving theprojections a ofthe hub. The collar or plate F is secured to the hub Aby suitable bolts J and nuts K.

The outer ends of the spokes are constructed with tenons c, with theirends split, at c, to receive wedges G, which expand the tenons 6o asthey are forced into their respective receptacles in the felly H.

The tire of the wheel is shown at I.

The spokes O are shouldered at 0, so as to press against the inclinedsides am of the mortises when the spokes are forced outward, as abovedescribed.

Any one or more ot` the spokes may be removed, and new ones substitutedtherefor, without disturbing the remainder, as it is 7o only necessaryto remove the cap E, collar F, and thimble D.

The advantage of this improvement will be apparent. The whole wheel istightened at one operation, for as soon as the thimble is turned forwardthe tire and the spokes in the hub are tightened simultaneously.

I claim as my invention- Thecombination of spokes C, having dovetailedportions c and shoulders 0", the hub 8o A, having mortises a.providinginclined sides am, and a thimble, D, adapted to press the saiddovetailed portions onto the said inclined sides, as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto 8 5 set my hand this 28th dayof September, 1880.

WILLIAM R. SHERMAN.

Witnesses:

JNO. H. GRUBB,

WILLIAM Lowa.

